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10 Questions with ... Jesse Kelly
April 28, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Car washer, dishwasher, golf club washer, construction worker, United States Marine, construction worker again, project manager, candidate for U.S. Congress, Director of Development, RV salesman, RV sales manager, local radio host, national TV host, national radio host.
1. You're a veteran and a former Congressional candidate, and now you're on the radio. How did you make that move -- was it always part of the plan, or did something else intervene to attract you to radio?
There was absolutely no plan whatsoever. I always enjoyed doing radio when I had the chance, but never envisioned a career. I moved to Houston and got to know Michael Berry and he told me he thought I could be something special at it if I wanted to try. I was ready for a career move so I jumped. For some reason, it worked.
2. You've entered a talk radio field which is already crowded with conservative talkers. What would you say you bring to the table that others don't? What makes you different?
My overall lack of education and my inability to care when people get mad at me are real benefits. It gives me a different perspective on life. The working man doesn’t have many voices out there. Also, I talk a LOT about history. I open every show with a new story. People love it. I hope.
3. Your ban from (and ultimate reinstatement to) Twitter got you in the headlines a little while back. What in retrospect did you take away from the experience, both about Twitter and about social media in general?
I learned absolutely no lessons whatsoever. Except maybe it’s a good job to diversify your platform so one angry person can’t torpedo your career. My approach to social media now is the same as it’s always been: Be interesting.
4. Without finger-pointing one way or the other, do you think America is so politically polarized that there's no uniting the country anymore, and are you concerned by that? Is there any hope of common ground?
No, there’s no uniting the country and no, I’m not concerned about it. There is no common ground as we’ve separated to such a point that we simply don’t share common values. I’m not thrilled about it, but nations break up all the time. That’s not radical. That’s the history of the world. Empires rise and fall. Our turn will come one day too. Such is life.
5. How likely is it that you'll run for office again? What are the most important things you learned from your previous runs?
Lord willing, I will never even consider running for office again. That was just awful. I learned that I don’t like asking people for money and that’s pretty much your entire life when you run for office.
6. Who are your influences and inspirations, in radio, in politics, and in life?
There’s no question nationally syndicated host Michael Berry has been my biggest radio influence. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance. In politics, it’s probably a huge grab bag of various politicians, writers, and pundits. Rush Limbaugh’s longevity impresses me as much as anything else. It’s hard to stay interesting for that long. Especially when you’re filthy rich and don’t have to do it anymore.
7. Of what are you most proud?
My sons hold the door open for people and look you in the eye when they talk to you. I may be a terrible person, but I’ve done alright with these boys.
8. Who, on the other side of the political aisle, do you respect and/or like? (We're gonna try and see if there's an olive branch anywhere around these days, y'see.) Who on the left strikes you as more reasonable?
I respect Hillary Clinton. I think it’s impressive how she overcame a general lack of personality and managed to kill enough people to rise in the political world.
In all seriousness. though, Jim Webb always seems kinda cool. I could hang with Jim Webb. Or Andrew Yang.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________.
…melted cheese.
10. What's the best and worst advice you ever got?
Best: There are three things in life you never go cheap on: tires, your bed, and anything you put on your feet.
Worst: You’re gonna use algebra all the time in life.
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